Saturday, March 6, 2010

Some Komarpants still live in mud houses - Navhind Times

Members of this community who had been neglected for many years since Liberation finally hope for upliftment of their community. These people have been living in mud houses with thatched roofs and occupationally involve themselves in cultivating tenanted fields and fishing.

By JOAO SOUSA M | NT NeTWORK

MARGAO: After being ignored for decades in post-Liberation Goa, the Komarpantcommunity has finally seen light with the government deciding to include the community into the OBC category. The inclusion has given a glimmer of hope to the community as it will go a long way in upliftment of the community, which has been neglected for years after Goa’s liberation.

As a member of the community, Ms ParbhawatiKomarpantsaid, “At least we will get some benefits from the government before we get old.” A visit to the areas inhabited by this community has a story to tell as the people still continue to live in mud houses with thatched roofs. While some work in fields, others cultivate tenanted fields and still others are involved in fishing and toddy tapping. Even though education has reached the Komarpants’ the youth are not highly qualified and have been finding it difficult to get jobs under the general category. However, the community has a few honours as hard work has seen the community produce a doctor a couple of advocates and a few have gone on to become engineers and agriculturists however their number is limited

Ms ParvathiKomarpant, who lost her husband some 7 years back, is battling hard to make both ends meet as she has seven children but no bread earner as her son is unable to gain employment. She also informed that she has not been receiving any aid from the government. She said that she has been working in fields of the landlords to earn livelihood. When informed that the community has now been added to the OBC category, she expressed hope that now at least her son, Mr GirishKomarpantwould get some government job.

However, some members of the community have raised concerns that people from Karnataka whom they say are already getting benefits from the government of Karnataka and are settled in Goa, are trying to derive benefits of OBC category, which they feel is unjust to them.

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